Inflating valve structure for basket balls and the like



Feb. 17. 1925. r

' C. D. NELLIS INFLATING VALVE STRUCTURE FOR BASKET BALLS AND THE LIKE FiledJune z. 1924 tion.

CHAUNCEY JD. NELLXS, F ROSENDALE, WISCONSIN.

lihlFL A'EBTG .VALVE STRUCTURE FOR BASKET BALlLfi AND THE LIKE.

\ Application filed June 3,

Valve Structures for Basket Balls and the like, of which the following is a specifica- Thisinvention relates to improvements in ,the, construction of a basket ball and the like, and particularly the provisions made 'therein for inflating the same.

An object of the invention resides in pro viding a basket ball bladder with an inwardly directed neck portion adapted to re ceive avalve member to be housed therein and within the cover of the basket-ball.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a basket ball having a special inflating structure for the bladder thereof, wherein the bladder is provided with an inwardly directed neck portion for receiving a sleeve like valve housing containing a suitable valve for permitting the entrance of airto the bladder, but preventing the exhaust thereof under normal conditions, and providihg a plate mounting said tubular valve housing adapted to extend between the cover and the bladder for holding said valve housing in a predetermined relation with the cover when inflated, and for protecting the connection of the valve and the neck with the remaining-portion ofthe bladder.

The invention includes other objects and improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts, which are more particularly pointed out in the fol structure lowing detailed description, and in the claims directed to aipreferred form of the invention, it being understood, however, that various changes in the-size, form and ar-' rangement of these parts may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed. J In the drawings, forming part ofthis 1 is a partial sectional view, a basket ball showing the inflating thereof, constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the Figure through structure shown in Figure 1 The cover for the basketball or the like is indicated at 1, and which, as usual is provided with a slotted portion 2, to permit the suitable lacing as indicated generally at 6,

directed inflating neck 8, which receives the for insuring the firm positioning of the ..end of the housing, for preventing dust and 1924. Serial No. 719,570.

insertion and removal therein of the reinforclng liner 3 and the usual inflating blad der 4:. A. reinforcing strip 5 is usually pro vided between the liner and the \lbladdenat the portion overlying the slotted portion 2 of the cover 1, in order to prevent the bladder from bulging outwardly through the slotted portion, which is laced, together, by'

135 while the cover 1 is usually reinforced around the slotted portion 2, as indicated by the dotted line 7. in Figure 2.

- The bladder 41 is formed with an inwardly valve housing 9, of tubular form, which is formed on the inner end thereof with a plurality of ribs 10, on the outer periphery,

adapted to effect the stretching of the neck valve member in the same. The outer end of the tubular valve housing 9 is seated in the opening in the central portion of an elongated plate 11, positioned between the cover 1 and the lining 3, and normally positioned at substantially right angles to the position of the slot 2, in the manner clearly shown in the-drawing. The end portions of this plate are rounded, as indicated at 12, and the same is curved to conform to the curvature of the ball, in inflated relation, while the central portion of the plate is enlarged as indicated at 13, and slightly concaved as shown in Figure 1. lhe cover 1 is formed with an opening 14, the size of the valve housing 9, said valve housing being formed with internal threads 15 in the outer end-thereof for receiving a cap 16, adapted to be screw threaded in the outer dirt from entering the same in the use of the ball, after the same is inflated, and'also for receiving the usual threaded nipples carried by the ends of an inflating device, so that the same may be connected thereto, for

inflating the ball.

A threaded member 17 is threaded into the housing 9, cooperating with the threads 15, as shown in Figure 1 and formed with a central Opening for guiding the valve stem 18 carrying at the inner end thereof a valve 19, adapted to seat in the valve seat member 20, formed with a partition and valve seat for said valve 19, so that when the valve is seated therein, the-air in the ball will be prevented from gaining an exit. A coil spring 21 surrounding t 1e valve member 19 between the seat 20 and the member 17 seats at one end on the member 20 and normally acts to cause said valve 19 to engage its seat, by the expansive action thereof on the valve stem '18, through engagement with the cross pin 22. A head 23 is provided on'the free end of the valve stem 18, and outwardly of the member 17 so that the same may be operated for unseating the valve 19 to permit the air in the ball to be exhausted.

From the foregoing description, it should be clear that a valve structure for basketballs or other forms of playing balls, which are inflated for use in playing games has been provided, which will permit the ready application of an inflating device for supp ying air to said ball to inflate the same, and Which will normally prevent the. exhaust of said air, as well as providing means which is readily operable to permit the exhaust of the air through manual operation to unseat the valves, when desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A structure of the class described comprising a cover member, a bladder within said cover having an inwardly directed neck formed thereon and adapted to contain air under pressure for inflating said cover, a valve housing mounted in said neck'and having the outer end thereof projecting into an opening in said cover, a valve member in said housing normally operable for closing the passage therethrough, an elongated plate member having an enlarged slightly concaved central portion formed witlia central opening receiving'said valve housing and positioned between the bladder and cover for holding said housing in ,a predetermined relation thereto, and a cap adapted for removable connection with the valve housing for closing the passage thereinto an opening-in the cover, a seat member mounted in said valve housing, a valve stem extending in the central portion of said housing and carrying a valve for engaging said seat, resilient means positioned between the seat member, and projections on said valve stem for normally holding said valve in engagement with the seat, the outer internal end being provided with a threaded portion adapted to receive a closure cap and nipple on an inflating device, and an elongated plate member having a central opening therein receiving the outer end of said valve housing and mounting the same therein positioned in angular relation with the slotted portion formed in the cover and between said cover and bladder for normally maintaining said valve housing in a predetermined relation in said cover.

In testimony ture. CHAUNCEY D. NELLIS.

portion of said valve housing whereof I aflix my signa- 

